The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-07
ONE HUNDRED AND THREE
And He Played on the Harp or
Thousand Strings.
A House Which Does Not Hang It's Harps
Upon the Willows, but Sends Them Broad
cast to GLADDEN. and Cheer Humanity.

AID ne prayed on the narp or Thousand
strings" So said the ancient hard-shell Baptist
in his famous disposition. Who this famous
musician was nobody knows, and probably no
one ever will know. And that harp with
strings, what wonderful instrument
it must have been. None like it was ever heard
of before or since. There are several church
organs in the city which have more than
thousand pipes, and it is easy to understand
how, by manipulation of stops with hands and
feet the notes upon thousand pipes could be
made to send forth their sweet tones But i'm
agination is lost in wonder when harp with
a thousand strings is placed in position, and the
performer is expected to touch with artistic
power so large a number Of notes and
bring from them perfection Of melody.
In this Nation and among this people
the old fashioned harp has no place. Ever
since the children of Israel hung their harps
upon the willows this sacred instrument has. in
a measure. taken position Of disrepute. 1t has
at least assumed different form. Few persons
ever stop to think that the piano of to-day is the
harp OF the long, long ago. 1t is but the mark
OF science and art in arranging the strings
that ease Of manipulation is attained, coupled
with power and sweetness of tone, which give it
the leading place in the hearts and minds of
this music loving age In the past quarter of a
century there has been great advance made in
bringing the piano to a state of perfection, but
it has remained for the last year or two to d e.
velop an artistic finish and superb design in
style which astonish and delight the aesthetic
mind. When Mr.. Theo. Pfaffln caught Journal
representative, yesterday, and led him captive
through a perfect labyrinth of magnificent
- l.
an enthusiasm of more than usual fervor lit up
the features of this prince of piano dealers "In
all my experience of twenty years in the piano
trade" said Mr.. Pfaffiin, Il have never seen pi-
amos and organs brought to such perfection in
all their details. Did You ever look upon any
musical instrument which is the equal of this"
said he, as he conducted the easily led represent
alive to the display window with its Turkish
draperies hanging gracefully and forming
booth in which was exhibited solid mahogany
upright Knabe piano. The instrument is barren
of veneer, and only the rich-colore6 natural
wood reflected its brilliance and beauty. The
whole is inlaid with beaten brass. The finish OF
the wood is so complete that its surface is almost
like a mirror. Running his fingers over tho
keys there burst forth the sweetest sounds
soft, rich, voluminous and the music-loving
knight of the pencil was lifted so near to
heavens border land that he could al
catch the echoes of the angelic choir.
Near by was an ebony piano of the same make,
with carved panels, which, for beauty of ex-
terror has never been surpassed. it being only
a question of taste as to color between this and
the first named Instrument. Either one of them
would grace the palace of king. Several gen.
uine French walnut and solid mahogany up
rights of the celebrated and popular Hallett &
Davis manufacture were conspicuous in stock
An English walnut upright of the same make
comes in for its share of praise. But to give a
perfect description of all these superb instru-
menrs is utterly out of the question. The
HILL p nop ~, foU mo
the musical classes account of its singing
quality and power of tone, which are produced
by the double agraffe bridge peculiar TO this in
strument and which is contained in no other
piano manufactured. There have been more of
these instruments sold in this section Of late
years than of any other make. In addition to
the Ha!lett & Davis and the Knabe, the Everett
piano was prominent in stock. This is I'M
on market It's style of finish is scarcely grade
inferior to tine high-priced pianos, and only the
expert eye could detect the difference, only
tho cultured ear is able to detect the
contrast in tone. Amid the hundreds of pianos
were displayed line of organs for parlor,
church and lodge. Among them, and we'll known
as the leading organ of the country. was the
Story & Clark. Like the Knabe and the Hallet
& Davis pianos, the Story & Clark organ has a
reputation which needs not to be added to, and
which competitors cannot detract from.
| 1t may be source Of satisfaction to the host
| of friends of Theo. Pfaff1in & Co. to know tina,
| during the month of December alone their sales
| of pianos and organs numbered one hundred and
| three. The books were displayed showing the
date of sale, number of instrument price and by
whom sold. Every piano and organ on
this list was bona fide sale.
None of them were sold during October
and November and then classed as holiday sales
but all were sold actually and positively durine
| the month Of December. OF these one hundred
| and three instruments a number of them were
of the highest priced class, and many homes Of
| the city and surrounding towns were recipients
| Of most elegant holiday offerings. The sweet
| strains which shall issue from these superb in
| struments during the next twelve months viii
largely condu;e to a happy New Year to all such
| homes.
Said Mr.. Pfaffiin: 1--WE feel specially grateful
| to the public for their generous patronage thu
| past year. due, we satisfied, to an apprecia
| ton of our low prices, easy terms and superi
| oritv of Instruments" Certainly the friends O
/ Theo. Plaff1in & Co can all join in wishing th
enterprising firm renewed prosperity during thu
| new year just entered upon.